Best Beaches in Naxos
Home to some of the best beaches in the Greek islands, when visiting Naxos you definitely want to plan on spending some time soaking up the sun and the sand. With many framed by crystal-clear, calm blue waters, they’re ideal for swimming and many other water sports too, particularly between June and September when the sea is wonderfully warm, although it’s often warm enough from May through the middle of October.
The only question is, which to visit? There are options that are popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing, family-friendly stretches edged by shallow water ideal for the little ones, and even nudist sections for those who want to totally let loose and perhaps sunbathe without getting those tan lines.
With so many, it’s hard to choose the very best to visit, but these are our favorites you might want to consider.
Plaka Beach
The island’s most popular beach is also one of the top areas to stay on the island for those who want a beach-focused escape. It’s well-worth visiting, stretching for some 2.5 miles with plenty of room for everyone. You’ll find powdery soft sands throughout, with the south end known for its unspoiled beauty minus the sunbeds, umbrellas, and facilities. The north end is where all the action is, including accommodation options, beach clubs, restaurants, and a nudist section.
It includes an area that’s family-friendly with umbrellas and sunbeds along with options for renting water sports gear. Plaka Waterspots offers windsurfing lessons and equipment as well as water skis, wakeboards, SUPs, tubes, and pedal boats. Those who want to explore on land can also rent bicycles that come with helmets, pumps, repair kits, racks, etc., including options for rides on the beach and dirt roads.
Agios Georgios
Agios Georgios (St. George) is one of the easiest beaches to reach from Naxos Town, accessible on foot from nearly every area of the capital. A long and sandy stretch, it’s another favorite among locals and visitors alike, particularly among windsurfers and families. It includes a lagoon with calm, clear shallow water for splashing around as well as an area that tends to get some big waves that are ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
You’ll find watersports facilities here as well along with umbrellas and sunbeds, restaurants, cafes, and beach bars for enjoying food and drink in between your time on the sand. In fact, you might want to start with breakfast at one of the cafes as they open early in the morning, serving generous, inexpensive meals with everything from traditional yogurt with walnuts and honey to omelets, all of which can be enjoyed with a fabulous view.
Agios Prokopios
Just a few miles from Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios is often named among the country’s most beautiful beaches with its long pale sands and translucent turquoise water that looks like a huge swimming pool. It’s just past Agios Georgios, easily reached by bicycle or a longer leisurely stroll for those who are staying in Chora.
One could easily spend the entire day here with plenty of options for dining from early morning until late in the evening, and here are stretches for all too, with most well organized with umbrellas and sunbeds. The northern end is left untouched and can be enjoyed by simply tossing down a beach towel or blanket.
In the summer, it’s lively, packed with young people who not only enjoy swimming, banana tubing, windsurfing, and volleyball on the sand, but the café/bars for entertainment. If you hope to beat the summer crowds, you’ll want to arrive well before noon.
Aliko Beach
You’ll find secluded stretches of paradise on Naxos too, with Aliko one of the best. It sits on the island’s south-west side, just 11 miles south of Chora. There are no major tourist facilities here, but you can always bring a picnic to enjoy at seaside with the beach made up of stunning white sands surrounded by turquoise coves.
You won’t find sunbeds and umbrellas here either, but there are some tamarisk trees along the shore that provide shade, providing the perfect place to relax away from crowded resorts. Just above the beach is a unique cedar forest with sand dunes, a protected natural area that provides an exotic landscape and fantastic photo-ops. Despite its more remote appeal, if you don’t have a car, you can easily reach Aliko by bus from the port of Naxos.
Psili Ammos Beach
The beaches on the east coast are ideal for relaxation with plenty of tranquil seclusion, including Psili Ammos. Located near Kanaki, you’ll need your own transportation to reach this long, white sandy stretch with gentle turquoise waves lapping the shore.
Laze away the day while enjoying uninterrupted views of the sea and the neighboring island of Donoussa. If you can manage to get here before away, as it’s on the island’s side, you can watch a glorious sunrise too.
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